Tejava® Crowned Champion For Third Consecutive Year At North American Tea Championship

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Crystal Geyser Water Company's Tejava^® Premium Iced Tea has earned the number one spot for its third consecutive year at the North American Tea Championship, in this year's Unflavored/ Unsweetened Black Iced Tea category. According to AC Nielsen, nationally, the unsweetened iced tea category is showing robust growth, up over 16 percent in dollar sales versus last year for the 52 week period ending April 20, 2013, demonstrating that unsweetened teas are gaining popularity in the United States.

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The North American Tea Championship (NATC) is the only independent competition, judged by professional cuppers, to distinguish the highest quality and best tasting teas that are commercially available in the North American marketplace. This year, nearly 200 iced teas were entered into this year's Iced Tea class, which featured 20 categories. Evaluated once a year, the Iced Tea Class and every submission is evaluated blind and through organoleptic analysis of characteristics, including flavor, body, color, clarity and balance. An overall numerical value on a 100‐point scale is then calculated based on the ratings of each characteristic, and winning teas are determined by rank.

"This award recognizes that Tejava Premium Iced Tea is a truly unique product, based on simply brewing the best tea," said Doug MacLean, CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company, which manufactures Tejava. "Having professionals repeatedly judge Tejava as the leader in its category clearly separates this remarkable tea from all other brands."

About Tejava®

Tejava is the world's only 100 percent all natural, microbrewed and ready-to-drink iced tea made entirely from select, handpicked tea leaves from the island of Java. For the best tasting tea, only the top few leaves from each branch are picked – and only from May through October, the optimum harvesting months.

Tejava's unique microbrewing process eliminates bitterness and yields a rich, distinctive, full-bodied taste. Unsweetened and calorie free, Tejava is made with no added tea flavors, sweeteners, preservatives or artificial ingredients. It is certified Kosher under the authority of the Orthodox Union. Tejava is available throughout the West and nationally at Trader Joe's, Cost Plus World Markets and CVS Drug Stores. It is also available at select natural foods stores across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.tejava.com

About Crystal Geyser Water Company
An industry innovator, Crystal Geyser Water Company (CGWC) pioneered flavored sparkling mineral water, whose popularity continues to grow as more consumers seek natural alternatives to sugared or artificially sweetened soft drinks. In addition to sparkling mineral water and Tejava® Premium Iced Tea, CGWC produces Juice Squeeze^®, a refreshing line of lightly carbonated juice beverages that contain a full serving of fruit and are made with 70 percent real fruit juice and no added sugars or preservatives.

Crystal Geyser Water Company (CGWC), based in Calistoga, CA, is a natural beverage company founded in Napa Valley. For more than 35 years, the company has been committed to creating premium quality, wholesome and delicious natural beverages. CGWC products can be found at grocery, natural foods, drug/mass merchant, club stores, and food service outlets throughout the Western United States. Crystal Geyser Water Company operates as a subsidiary of Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit http://www.crystalgeyser.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer Agnew
323-762-2417
[email protected]

SOURCE Tejava